MORMON TRAIL COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING
January 16, 2017
President Smiarowski called the regular meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Humeston Elementary Library. Answering roll call were board members Evans, Lundahl, Peasley and Smiarowski. Funk joined the meeting at 7:37. Superintendent Lorna Paxson, Principals Hunt and Stripe and Board Secretary Peggy Rash were also present. Linda Horton, reporter from the Humeston New Era was also in attendance. Guests were Noah Siddens and Tim Myers.
Noah Siddens, a student at Mormon Trail, was present to address the Board concerning the dress code at the JR/SR High School. Myers was present to discuss the District’s semester testing policy. Myers asked the Board to review the Policy and to update the Policy online to include information that had been omitted. Students received a notice in their school email regarding the semester testing policy prior to testing. Both gentlemen were thanked for coming and bringing these items to the attention of the Board.
Lundahl made a motion to approve the agenda. Evans seconded the motion to approve with all present voting aye. Motion carried.
Lundahl moved to approve the consent agenda which included the previous meeting’s minutes and two open enrollment out requests that met filing requirements. Funk seconded. Motion carries with all ayes.
After reviewing the month’s financial reports, Lundahl made a motion to approve. Evans seconded with all present voting aye.
Following a brief discussion, Funk motioned to approve the December bills for payment. Evans seconded with all present voting aye.
Next up was the second reading of the newly revised Procurement Policy for Mormon Trail Food Service. Food Service recently went through an audit and as a result revised the language in the District’s purchasing policies to comply with state, federal and local laws. For most purchases of goods and service the District’s Superintendent may approve a purchase if the cost does not exceed $5000. The amount allowed for Food Service is reduced to $3500. Two Board Policies need revised to comply with the law. 705.1 Purchasing – Bidding and 802.2 Requests for Improvements.
Lundahl made a motion seconded by Peasley to approve the second reading to change the required purchasing –bidding thresholds for Food Service in Board Policy 705.1. All present voted aye. Board Policy 802.2 was also approved in the motion to reflect the new $3500 threshold.
The District’s Affirmative Action EEO Plan (Policies 101, 102, 102E1, 102E, 102E3, 102E4, 102R, 102R1, 400, 401.1) was reviewed. With a motion by Funk and a second by Peasley, the motion passes with all present voting aye. The Board is seeking volunteers in the community who would be willing to serve on the committee on behalf of the District’s Affirmative Action EEO Plan. If interested you may contact Board President, Marc Smiarowski or Superintendent, Lorna Paxson.
Evans motioned to adopt the resolution for the Decatur County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Peasley seconded. Motion passes with all voting aye.
Lundahl made a motion to table a resolution for a Voluntary Early Retirement Plan for 2017. Early Retirement will not be offered in 2017. Funk seconded. Peasley, Lundahl, Funk, Evans, and Smiarowski voted aye.
Funk motioned to update and approve Board Policies in the 100 series. The 400 Series was tabled until the February meeting. Lundahl seconded with all voting aye.
Funk made a motion to approve the following regarding the District’s semester testing policy. If a student wishes to opt out of testing, the following grade/absence guidelines must be met. This information will be updated in the JR/SR High School handbook, both in hard copy and online.
The Policy as approved reads:
“Semester Test Policy
Our semester test waiver policy is being used as a positive reinforcement
to all students who have outstanding attendance and are scoring
academically at 87% or above in the classroom. We will continue this policy
for 9 th -12th grades. A student who misses 3 class periods or fewer during a
semester may have the option of not taking their finals providing that the
student adheres to the following provisions:
1. A student who has excellent attendance may waive semester tests in
classes in which he/she has met the attendance and academic
requirements. The following will not be counted against the absences a
student is allowed per class/per semester:
A. Participating in a school sponsored activity.
B. A senior may have 1 day for post-secondary planning during a
semester. To verify the visit, the student must provide a signature on official
letterhead from the organization he/she visited.
C. Death in the family.
D. Observation of a religious holiday.
2. A student who has been suspended out-of-school or who has been
assigned an in-school suspension will not be allowed to waive any exams.
3. A student who is on a homebound program or on an inpatient program
will not be eligible to waive semester exams.
4. A student who qualifies for the waiver option may decide to take the
semester test, but it will be counted only if it improves the final grade.
NOTE: Every student eligible for the waiver MUST take at least one
core academic test (ie: Math, English, Social Studies, Science,
Reading). This will be decided by the student who will inform the
teacher. That will be the only test he/she has to take this semester.”
Peasley seconded the motion with all voting aye in favor.
Progress continues on the Athletic field lighting project and also with compliance on requirements in the completion of the Garden Grove addition connecting the shop area with the kitchen/commons area.
Lundahl made a motion to accept the resignation of Para-educator, Brenda Birkland. Evans seconded. All present voted aye.
Administrative reports were given by Principals Becky Stripe and Steve Hunt and by Superintendent Lorna Paxson.
Lundahl motioned that the meeting be adjourned. Funk seconded with all voting in favor of adjournment. Smiarowski closed the meeting at 9:20 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Mormon Trail Board of Directors will be held February 13th 2017 @ 7:30 p.m. in the Elementary Library.
____________________________ ___________________________
President, Board of Education Secretary, Board of Education
_________ _________
Date Date
These minutes are written as recorded by the board secretary and subject to approval at the next regular board meeting. Peggy Rash, Board Secretary/Treasurer